Drug Enforcement Administration

Multiple Convicted Felon Sentenced To 16 A½ Years In Prison For Possession Of Heroin And Firearms

NEW ORLEANS - Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Keith Brown and U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that Melvin James, Jr., a 43-year old resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today for possession with intent to distribute 98 grams of heroin and being a convicted felon-in-possession of four firearms.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt sentenced James to 198 months incarceration for possession with intent to distribute 98 grams of heroin and 120 months incarceration for being a felon-in-possession of a firearm, to be served concurrently. Following his term of imprisonment, James will be on supervised release for a term of three years.

According to the indictment, James was arrested following an attempt to sell heroin in Slidell, Louisiana. A search of his New Orleans residence uncovered 98 grams of heroin, digital scales, products used to “cut” the heroin prior to distribution, over $3,000 in U.S. currency, marijuana, and other tools of the narcotics trafficking trade including four firearms of various makes and calibers.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and thanked the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the New Orleans Police Department for providing assistance in investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Brian Ebarb is in charge of the prosecution.